A+E Interactive » Sugarlandhttp://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei
Bay Area Arts and Entertainment BlogMon, 30 Mar 2015 12:40:46 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1Lambert, Sugarland, Aldean highlight Country Megaticket at Shorelinehttp://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2012/01/27/lambert-sugarland-aldean-highlight-country-megaticket-at-shoreline/
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2012/01/27/lambert-sugarland-aldean-highlight-country-megaticket-at-shoreline/#commentsFri, 27 Jan 2012 23:15:44 +0000Jim Harringtonhttp://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/?p=23637Continue Reading →]]>By Jim Harrington
Oakland Tribune
Country fans should be thrilled with the lineup for this year’s Country Megaticket at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View.
The six-ticket bundle consists of Miranda Lambert (April 27), Sugarland (June 1), Brad Paisley (July 27), Toby Keith (Aug. 12), Rascal Flatts (Sept. 14) and Jason Aldean (Sept. 28).
That’s an incredibly solid mix of established headliners (Paisley, Keith and Rascal Flatts) and rising stars (Sugarland, Aldean and Lambert). In particular, it’s great to see the return of Aldean, the blistering hot vocalist who sold out his Shoreline gig last year.
Ticket packages go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday through www.livenation.com. Prices range from $699 for the VIP package (which includes tickets to all shows in the lower level) to $149 (lawn ducats). If you don’t want to buy into the whole Megaticket experience, you can wait and purchase individual show tickets at a later (yet unannounced) date.]]>http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2012/01/27/lambert-sugarland-aldean-highlight-country-megaticket-at-shoreline/feed/24“American Idol”: Judges use their one and only “save”http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2011/03/24/american-idol-judges-use-their-one-and-only-save/
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2011/03/24/american-idol-judges-use-their-one-and-only-save/#commentsFri, 25 Mar 2011 05:34:54 +0000Chuck Barneyhttp://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/?p=21180Continue Reading →]]>http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2011/03/24/american-idol-judges-use-their-one-and-only-save/feed/23Sugarland posts video apology to fanshttp://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2009/07/20/sugarland-posts-video-apology-to-fans/
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2009/07/20/sugarland-posts-video-apology-to-fans/#commentsMon, 20 Jul 2009 19:13:50 +0000Shay Quillenhttp://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/?p=15556Continue Reading →]]>here.]]>http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2009/07/20/sugarland-posts-video-apology-to-fans/feed/4Sugarland no-show hinders Chesney’s country partyhttp://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2009/07/19/sugarland-no-show-hinders-chesneys-country-party/
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2009/07/19/sugarland-no-show-hinders-chesneys-country-party/#commentsSun, 19 Jul 2009 08:47:47 +0000Shay Quillenhttp://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/?p=15522Continue Reading →]]>
You gotta give him points for his entrance, though, as he rose up from the sound booth in a chair singing "Live Those Songs" and traveled high above the infield, hanging from a cable, before alighting to his spot on the catwalk.
Moved up to second on the bill, Lambert triumphed over a muddy mix, blending songs from her two terrific albums with some fun covers ("Stay With Me," "In the Midnight Hour," "I Love Rock 'n' Roll"). Those who know the hits know that she can rock ferociously -- case in point "Gunpowder and Lead" -- but a poignant "More Like Her" showed she was also capable of more emotional range than anyone else on the bill. She also pulled out a sassy new one, "Only Prettier," that bodes well for the upcoming album.
Lady Antebellum, currently atop the Billboard country chart with "Run to You," performed admirably in the opening slot, though there's only so much you can do to impress when you're playing in broad daylight in center field to a half-empty baseball stadium. Charles Kelley is a powerful singer, though, and he and Hillary Scott did not seem at all intimidated by the gynormous venue.
Sugarland's absence wasn't the only bummer. The chilly, windy weather struck a discordant note with the Coronas-and-Caribbean vibe on Chesney's video screens. (It got so cold that Chesney even put sleeves on, if you can believe it, to sing the concluding "Don't Blink.") Also, for the second year in a row, I heard multiple complaints from women about inordinately long lines for the restrooms. Come on, now, AT&T Park. If you're going to let them hype Corona that much, you better give people sufficient facilities to relieve themselves.
I'll have a full review posted online Sunday and in the print Mercury News on Monday, but for now I'll leave you with Chesney's set list. Would love to hear thoughts on the show from anyone who went.
Live Those Songs / Summertime / Beer in Mexico / Keg in the Closet / Out Last Night / Big Star / No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems / I Go Back / Anything But Mine / Down the Road / Me and You / Living in Fast-Forward / Young / Never Wanted Nothing More / Back Where I Come From / Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven / When the Sun Goes Down / Don't Happen Twice / She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy / Don't Blink]]>http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2009/07/19/sugarland-no-show-hinders-chesneys-country-party/feed/53Dave Matthews, Aretha Franklin, James Taylor highlight Jazz Festhttp://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2008/12/17/dave-matthews-aretha-franklin-james-taylor-highlight-jazz-fest/
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2008/12/17/dave-matthews-aretha-franklin-james-taylor-highlight-jazz-fest/#commentsWed, 17 Dec 2008 09:07:36 +0000Jim Harringtonhttp://www.ibabuzz.com/concerts/?p=1569
Dave Matthews (Passing this press release on for my fellow travelers:) 40th ANNIVERSARY JAZZ FEST ANNOUNCED! Wynton Marsalis, Aretha Franklin, Dave Matthews Band, James Taylor, Sugarland, Joe Cocker, Ben Harper, Tony Bennett, Earth, Wind & Fire, Kings of Leon, Neville… Continue Reading →]]>Dave Matthews(Passing this press release on for my fellow travelers:)40th ANNIVERSARY JAZZ FEST ANNOUNCED!
Wynton Marsalis, Aretha Franklin, Dave Matthews Band, James Taylor, Sugarland, Joe Cocker, Ben Harper, Tony Bennett,
Earth, Wind & Fire, Kings of Leon,
Neville Brothers, Wilco, Bonnie Raitt, Allen Toussaint,
The Oâ€™Jays, Erykah Badu, Dr. John
Among hundreds scheduled to appear at historic edition of Festival
Sugarland
Tickets On Sale Now, Special Hotel Rooms & Rates Available
New Orleans, LA (December 16, 2008)â€”The 2009 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Presented by Shell (April 24-26 & April 30-May 3) will celebrate 40 years of musical and cultural history at next yearâ€™s star-studded event. Started in 1970, the Jazz & Heritage Festival continues to showcase the most important names in music history alongside many of Louisianaâ€™s favorite entertainers. A true heritage festival, Jazz Fest stands alone in presenting the highest caliber artists in such varied genres as gospel, blues, traditional and contemporary jazz, rock, pop, R&B, Cajun, zydeco and much more.
Wynton Marsalis, Aretha Franklin, Dave Matthews Band, James Taylor, Sugarland, Joe Cocker, Ben Harper, Tony Bennett, Earth, Wind, and Fire, Kings of Leon, The Neville Brothers, Wilco, Bonnie Raitt, Allen Toussaint, The Oâ€™Jays, Erykah Badu, Etta James, Johnny Winter, Buddy Guy, Los Lobos, Robert Cray, Toots and the Maytals, Dr. John, Spoon, Third World, Common, Orishas, Emmylou Harris, Irma Thomas, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Mavis Staples, The Whispers, Hugh Masekela, Doc Watson, Pete Seeger, John Mayall, Solomon Burke, Jakob Dylan, Rance Allen, Chuck Brown, Meter Men; Zig, George, & Leo, Kinky, Drive-By, Truckers feat. Booker T. Jones, Better Than Ezra, Avett Brothers, Pete Fountain, Galactic, Marcia Ball, Roy Haynes, Patty Griffin, Kurt Elling, Poncho Sanchez, John Scofield & the Piety Street Band, Marc Broussard, Rebirth Brass Band, Esperanza Spalding, Kind of Blue @ 50 Tribute to Miles Davis, Del McCoury Band, Aaron Neville, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Odadaa of Ghana, The Genius of Sydney Bechet: A Tribute feat. Bob Wilber, Guy Clark, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Roy Rogers, Chris Owens, VaShawn Mitchell, Dew Drop Inn Revisited hosted by Deacon John, George Wein and Friends w/ Randy Brecker, Kermit Ruffins and the Barbeque Swingers, Terence Blanchard, Ivan Neville & Dumpstaphunk, Tab Benoit and the Wetland Allstars, Anointed Jackson Sisters, Ellis Marsalis, Dirty Dozen, Robert Mirabal, Trombone Shorty, The Vettes, Cedric Burnside, Lilâ€™ Ed & the Imperials, Stephanie Jordan, Radiators, Buckwheat Zydeco, Amanda Shaw, The Ebony Hillbillies, Cowboy Mouth, Trout Fishing in America, Harlem Blues & Jazz Band, Tribute to Danny Barker, Amameresso Agofomma of Ghana, Crocodile Gumboot Dancers of South Africa, Ori Danse Club of Benin, Ladysmith Redlions of South Africa, Cheick Hamala Diabate of Mali and hundreds more are scheduled to appear at the 40th anniversary celebration. (The complete weekend by weekend schedule is available at nojazzfest.com.)
Ben Harper
â€œFrom day one in 1970, the goal of the Festival has remained unchanged as Jazz Fest continues to celebrate the living breathing culture of New Orleans and Louisiana,â€ said Quint Davis, producer/director of Jazz Fest. â€œWhile the size and impact of the Festival have dramatically increased, we have never lost sight of the original goal of presenting this unique culture to the world through music, the finest in local cuisine, and the sheer celebration of life.â€
Jazz & Heritage Festival Founder and Executive Producer, George Wein, proudly stated, â€œIt is wonderful to see the Festival continue the joyous legacy that began almost four decades ago in Congo Square. There can only be one festival this grand, entertaining and important, because there is only one New Orleans.â€
Randy Philips, president & CEO, AEG Live, which co-produces the Festival said, "The 40th Anniversary Jazz Fest is one of the most highly anticipated events of 2009. AEG Live is proud to play a part in taking this legendary annual celebration to new heights."
Wynton Marsalis, the preeminent jazz artist and ambassador of his generation and one of New Orleansâ€™ favorite sons, will headline the first day of the Festival, Friday, April 24, performing the epic composition Congo Square, featuring the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Yacub Addy and Odadaa!.
"Itâ€™s an honor to be part of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festivalâ€™s 40th anniversary, thanks to the ongoing leadership of our friend George Wein,â€ stated Wynton Marsalis, Artistic Director, Jazz at Lincoln Center. â€œYacub Addy and I wrote and dedicated Congo Square to the great city of New Orleans and in April 2006, with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and Yacubâ€™s group, Odadaa!, we debuted the music on the actual site of Congo Square. We look forward to bringing the music back, celebrating New Orleans and this momentous anniversary for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.â€
Kings of Leon
Tickets for the Festival, which takes place at the Fair Grounds Race Course, went on sale today. For the first time ever, a limited number of discount ticket packages including tickets to each day of a particular weekend of the Festival will be offered. Ticket packages purchased for all three days of the first weekend (April 24, 25 & 26) will be $105, while second weekend packages purchased for all four festival days (April 30, May 1, 2 & 3) will be $140. (Tickets included in each package are day-specific.) Advance single day Jazz Fest tickets are still only $40 with the gate price of $50. Childrenâ€™s tickets (ages 2 - 11) are only $5 in advance or at the gate. Single day tickets to Jazz Fest are on sale by specific weekend, with each ticket valid for a single dayâ€™s attendance.
The Festivalâ€™s popular Big Chief VIP Experience ticket package and the Grand Marshal VIP Pass return for the 40th anniversary celebration, as well as the newly unveiled Krewe of Jazz Fest VIP Pass that allows for special covered seating at the Acura Stage audience area plus other amenities. All the hugely popular VIP packages are on sale now while very limited supplies last. (See nojazzfest.com for details.)
Tickets are available at www.nojazzfest.com and www.ticketmaster.com, at all Ticketmaster outlets or by calling (800) 745-3000. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Jazz Fest ticket office located at the Louisiana Superdome Box Office (Gate A, Ground Level) or the New Orleans Arena Box Office. All Jazz Fest tickets are subject to additional service fees and handling charges.
A listing of hotels offering special Jazz Fest rates is posted at www.nojazzfest.com, where patrons can effortlessly reserve their hotel rooms for the event. Festivalgoers can peruse room availability and book their accommodations early taking advantage of some of the best prices offered at participating hotels.
Shell is the Presenting Sponsor of the Festival. Acura is proudly celebrating its 10th year as sponsor of the Festivalâ€™s main stage. Peopleâ€™s Health, Miller Lite, Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism, AT&T, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots (A Churchill Downs Company), Capital One Bank, Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, Pepsi, Rajen Kilachand and St. Charles Vision are all also official Jazz Fest sponsors.
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, Inc. is the nonprofit organization that owns the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell, and uses the proceeds from that festival for year-round activities in the areas of education, economic development and cultural programming. Programs and assets of the foundation include: radio station WWOZ 90.7-FM, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation Archive, the Don â€œMooseâ€ Jamison Heritage School of Music, the Tom Dent Congo Square Lecture Series, the Jazz Journey concert series, the Community Partnership Grants program and the Raisinâ€™ the Roof housing initiative. The foundation also produces community events such as the Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival, Fiesta Latina, the Congo Square Rhythms Festival, the Down by the Riverside concerts and others. For more information, please call the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation at (504) 558-6100 or visit www.jazzandheritage.org.]]>http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2008/12/17/dave-matthews-aretha-franklin-james-taylor-highlight-jazz-fest/feed/3Dave Matthews BandSugarlandBen HarperKings of LeonTaylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, George Strait, Shania highlight CMAshttp://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2008/11/13/taylor-swift-kenny-chesney-george-strait-shania-highlight-cmas/
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2008/11/13/taylor-swift-kenny-chesney-george-strait-shania-highlight-cmas/#commentsThu, 13 Nov 2008 10:02:19 +0000Jim Harringtonhttp://www.ibabuzz.com/concerts/?p=1398
Shania Twain Here’s AP’s report: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) â€” Kenny Chesney won his fourth entertainer of the year award and George Strait became the most-honored artist in CMA Awards history at Wednesday’s ceremony, a show highlighted by a lavish performance… Continue Reading →]]>Shania TwainHere's AP's report:
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) â€” Kenny Chesney won his fourth entertainer of the year award and George Strait became the most-honored artist in CMA Awards history at Wednesday's ceremony, a show highlighted by a lavish performance by Taylor Swift, a surprise appearance by rapper Lil Wayne, and the return of one of country's biggest stars, Shania Twain.
"You look really good," Chesney remarked to Twain, who wore a sexy, low-cut dress as she presented Chesney with his award. Twain is one of country's best-selling artists, but has spent the last several years out of the spotlight. She hadn't been on the show in four years.
Kenny Chesney
After winning the evening's top award, Chesney said: "As much as tonight is about awards, I really believe that being able to stand up here is more about great songs, more about the fans, more about being on stage every night in front of a lot of people that really make it happen for me and the band out there."
"This is my fourth time standing up here, and I'm really humbled and I really appreciate it," added Chesney.
The award â€” his third straight win in the category â€” helped Chesney avoid a shutout. He was the night's lead nominee with seven but did not pick up a trophy in the other categories.
Strait won single and album of the year. The wins made him the act with the most awards in the history of the Country Music Association Awards, with 22 total. Strait thanked the songwriters for "letting me sing such a beautiful song" after the poignant "I Saw God Today" won single of the year. He later won album of the year for "Troubadour."
"Everybody says they've got the greatest fans. Well, I've really got the greatest fans," Strait said in accepting the album award.
Also winning two awards was Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland. Sugarland won the award for duo of the year, and earlier, Nettles won song of the year for Sugarland's hit "Stay."
"It's just been a gift from the beginning and been a gift to write and I hope it's been a gift and touched your heart," she said in accepting the award.
Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood, who co-hosted the show with Brad Paisley, won her third consecutive female vocalist award.
"I just want to say Mom, it's real hard to sing when you're in the second row crying," a teary-eyed Underwood told her mother during her speech. It came after her performance of her No. 1 hit "Just a Dream," about a woman who lost her loved one in war. The song was introduced by Leslie Ponder who lost her husband in Afghanistan.
The former "American Idol" champ also thanked country fans. "I got here in an unconventional way, and you guys didn't have to accept me at all.
Paisley, who won video of the year earlier, hugged Keith Urban and kissed the stomach of his pregnant wife, actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley, as he went up to collect his award.
Rascal Flatts
Rascal Flatts won their sixth straight vocal group of the year award, beating out the Eagles, Emerson Drive, Lady Antebellum and Little Big Town for the honor.
"Thank you to all our fans who came out to see us all year long," said Jay DeMarcus, who wore a jacket with a bright floral print. "I'm glad this happened early in the show because I've got to get mamaw's curtains back soon."
Lady Antebellum, a trio that is one of country music's most promising acts, won best new artist. As they picked up their award, their awe-struck guitarist, Dave Haywood, said: "It's not supposed to happen like this."
While the awards may have been the main point of the evening, it was the performances that dominated the show.
Kid RockKid Rock performed his hit "All Summer Long," and, perhaps in a nod to his hip-hop roots, brought out top-seller Lil Wayne on stage, though the rapper didn't utter a word â€” he just mimicked playing a guitar onstage. He may have been the first true rap act to perform at the CMAs.
Swift brought her hit "Love Story," which features characters named Romeo and Juliet, to life with an elaborate set which featured her wearing a medieval-looking purple gown with a castle backdrop: She later shed the gown to reveal a sweeping white dress.
Brooks & Dunn have said that "Cowgirls Don't Cry" was inspired by country great Reba McEntire, and she joined them on the song, an ode to a tough woman.
Chensey performed his reggae-flavored hit "Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven" with the reggae band the Wailers backing him up. They also performed the Bob Marley classic "Three Little Birds." The Eagles, whose return to the top of the charts has a lot to do with their recent country leanings, performed "Busy Being Fabulous."
Paisley and Keith Urban opened the show with dueling guitars as they performed their duet, "Start a Band." The song is the first single from Paisley's new mostly instrumental album, "Play." The two incorporated elements of classic rock anthems such as "Layla" and "Smoke on the Water" as they played.
Paisley also performed a musical tribute to singer and guitarist Jerry Reed, who died this year.
Written by By JOHN GEROME
Shania Twain photo by Flickr user Louisa Lampton
Kenny Chesney photo by Flickr user Cube 101
Carrie Underwood photo by Flickr user the.diet.starts.monday
Kid Rock photo by Flickr user jvh33
Rascal Flatts photo by Flickr user divinemisscopa
All photos used under the Creative Commons license]]>http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2008/11/13/taylor-swift-kenny-chesney-george-strait-shania-highlight-cmas/feed/23Shania TwainKenny ChesneyCarrie UnderwoodRascal FlattsKid Rock